Well-pumping machine



Jan. 5 1926.

J. B. HAWL EY, JR WELL PUMPING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 5 192 J. B. HAWLEY, JR

WELL PUMPING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1924 az i 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 5, 1926. 1

UNITED STATES new ' JOHN B. HAWLEY, .m, or roar won/m, mans.

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Application filed m a,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN B. HAWLEY, J r., a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort \Vorth, in the county of Tarrant and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Well Pumping Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has to do with improve ments in well pumping machines or apparatus. The invention relates in particular to an improved well pumping unit for removing oil, etc., from the wells.

The invention has reference especiall to a construction of well pumping unit w ich is very well adapted for use in connection with deep wells and is also especially intendedfor the pumping of oil wells. It will nevertheless appear that units embodying the present invention may also be used for a wide variety of other purposes.

One of the features of the invention relates to the provision of a new and improved construction and arrangement for sealing off thew ell at a point adjacent to the pumping unit, so that as the liquid is raised it will be prevented from flowing directly back into the lower end of the well. In thisconnection, it is an object of the invention to provide a construction such that the sealing of the well will be performed automatically and simultaneously with the commencement of the pumping operation, thus automatically insuring a proper sealing action when the piunping operation commences.

In connection with the foregoing it is a further object to provide a sealing action by the use of a gland or packing block of rubber or other suitable material so placed that the same will be expanded into proper contact with the interior of the well casing before the discharge of liquid from the pumping unit commences to take place.

In connection with the foregoing, it isa further object to provide an arrangement such that the sealing action will be properly performed regardless of the exact size of the interior of the well casing. In this connection a further object is to provide an arrangement such the approximate size to which the gland or packing will be expanded can be adjusted within considerable limits according to the particular size of well casing with which the device is to be used. Then when the device is placed in service assurance will be had that the gland PATENT OFFICE.

1924. Serial no. man.

will seal firmly a ainst the casing and estabmotor unit for use in connection therewith.

In this connection, it is an object to provide a motor unit which is substantially sealed and self contained; and also to make provision for initially packing the same with a suitable insulating and lubricating oil within which the rotor works. This initial packing of oil will effectively -meet and counteract external pressures exerted by the column of liquid standing within the well casing above the position of the pumping unit, since the entrance of a minute quantity of the pumped liquid into the motor unit will immediately create therein a balancing hydrostatic ressure.

Another eature of the invention relates to the provision of an improved construction of adjustment for the motor unit whereby the shaft of the rotor'may be adjusted for the most advantageous operation.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of a self-contained casing for the motor unit, said casing being so arranagerl as to effectively carry the loads to which the unit is subjected when in service.

A further object in this connection is to so arrange the cap of this casing that the same may be Well adapted to receive a standard form of wire rope socket or standard forms of drilling tools or jars.

Other objects and uses of the invention will appear from a detailed description of the same, which consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a pumping unit embodying the features of the present invention as the same occupies a position within the well casing and before-the gasket or gland has been expanded;

Fig. 2 shows a horizontal section on the line 2- of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the a-"rows; a

Fig. 3 shows a horizontal section on the line 33 of Fig. 6, looking'in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. A shows a horizontal section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 6, looking in'the direction.

of the arrows;

Fig. 5 shows a 'vertical section through the upper half of the pumping unit, being on enlarged scale as compared to Fig. 1; and

Fig.6 shows a vertical section through the lower half of the pumping unit on the same scale as Fig. 5.

Figs. 5 and 6 are, therefore, the upper and lower halves respectively of an enlarged vertical section.

Referring first to Figs. 5 and 6, the well casing is designated by the numeral 7.

The pumping unit includes a tubular case 8 having in its central portion a slight- 1y enlarged section 9, as shown in Fig. 5. Immediately below this enlarged section the interior of the case is threaded as shown at 10, and the extreme lower end 11 of the case is plain or perfectly cylindrical on its interior surface. Just above the enlarged portion 9 the case is plain, as shown at 12 in Fig. 5, and immediately above this plain portion the case is threaded, as shown atr13.

The motor unit indicated in the drawings includes a circular field member 14 carrying suitable poles or cores and winding generally designated by the numeral 15 in Fig. 5. This field member 14 is set down into the cylindrical portion 12 of the case 8 and rests against the shoulder at the upper edge of the enlarged portion 9. A motor head 16 is then threaded down through the upper portion 13 of the case and locks .the field member 14 in place.

X. lower head 17 is threaded up from beneath and into engagement with the under shoulder of the enlar ed portion 9 so as to close the lower end of the'motor.

The motor shaft 18 carries the armature 19 which rotates within the field member. This shaft 18 is shouldered at 20' and is supported by a thrust ball bearing 21 in the lower motor head 17. The lower end 22 of the shaft 18 passes out through the lower lllOtOldlt'iltl 17 which is preferably provided with a stuiiing box 23 including the adjustment nut 24.

The upper end of the motor shaft 18 is shouldered and supported by an upper thrust ball bearing 25 above which is an adjustment plate 26. This adjustment plate can be subjected to pressure by a stud 27 whose upper end threads through the upper motor head 16 and may be locked by-a lock nut 28.

Beneath the motor unit is a pump element which in the construction illustrated is of the gear or cam type. I have not endeavored in this application to illustrate the detailed construction of the same, since a large number of different forms of construction may be used, but I have chosen to show, as in Fig. 3, a pump of the gear type in cluding the two companion gears 29 and 30.

'ihis pumping element is formed from upper and lower circular blocks 31 and 32 respectively, which are drawn rigidly together by a number oftap screws 33. They are suitably soeketed to receive the pump gears 29 and 30 and are preferably also hushed, as indicated in Figs. 2, 4 and 6 in particular.

The gear 29 is placed in a central position within the pumping element and is mounted on the central driving shaft 34 which reaches up through the pumping unit into alignment with the shaft 22 of the motor. The motor and pumping elements are connected together by a suitable coupling 35 which is split in two at a point between Figs. 5 and 6.

The upper and lower blocks 31 and 32 of the pumping element are threaded upwards through the threaded portion of the case 8 as clearly indicated in Fig. 6.

Reaching downwardly from the lower central portion of the block 32 is a pump intake pipe 36, the lower end of which is threaded, as shown in Fig. 6. The lower I end of this intake pipe carries a suitable strainer or the like 37 adapted to remove sand and other foul material from the incoming liquid.

The upper end of the intake pipe 36 communicates directly with a passage 38 which reaches sidewise to an intake port 39 at one side of the gear pump. At the other side of the gear pump is a downwardly discharging pump 40 which delivers the liquid into the space directly beneath the lower block 32 of the pumping element.

Within the lower portion of the case 8 there is slidably mounted a piston element 41 which works nicely therein and is preferably provided with a packing ring 42 so as to establish an oil seal at its upper end with respect to the case 8. The lower portion of the piston element 41 is preferably tapered, as shown at 43, and its extreme lower end works with a close fit on the intake pipe 36. A stuiiing box 44 is preferably placed at the upper end of the piston element 41 including, if desired, a packing nut 45. I

The lower portion of the piston element 41 is externally shouldered, as shown at 46, and normally rests against the lower end of the case 8 so as to limit the upward movement of the piston element 41. One or more ports 47 are formed in the wall of the case 8 at a point considerably below the normal position of the packing ring 42 and at a point which is ascertained to be substantially correct for the lower desired limit of movement of the piston element.

The lower portion of the intake pipe 36 receives a shouldered base block 48 which may be fastened by a lock nut 49. This block 48 carries a circular gland or block 56 of rubber or other suitable material, the central portion of which is hollow, as shown r at 51, and receives the extreme lower end v 52 of the piston element .41. \Vith this arrangement when the pumping action commences the liquid is dischargedthat thereafter the liquid can be discharged necessary to expand t drostatic pressure will retain the piston ele- Whenever it is desired to release the through them. With the partsproperly adjusted the gasket will have been forced into a firm sealing engagement with the interior of the well casing when the ports 47 become uncovered and from that time onward the liquid will commence to rise up through the casing towards the u per end thereof. After the elevation of the liquid in the well casing becomes sufficient to create therein a hydrostatic pressure equal tothat ment 41 in the lowered position without imposing any additional load on the umping element and without any loss 0 power.

asket from engagement with the well casing, this may be done by reversing the direction of the motor and pumping element which will immediately tend to raise the piston element 41 and allow the gasket to collapse.

A head block 53 can be threaded into the upper end of the case 8, said head block being provided with a tapered threaded upwardly reaching lug 54 on its upper end. This lug is intended to receive a properly shaped and threaded socket 55 on the lower end of a suspending cable 56 which reaches down through the well and holds the pumping unit suspended therein. Said socket 55 is conveniently provided with a lower recess 57 into which may be received the frayed end 58 of the cable, after which said socket 57 is filled with lead or solder as indicated. In connection with this feature I wish to point out that sockets such as 55 are largely used at this time in connection with various well apparatuses and, therefore, the provision of a top block 53, such as illustrated in Fig. 5, makes it possible touse the present pumping unit with a large amount of equipment which is well known in the well drilling and operating industry.

The upper motor head 16 is provided with a port 60 through which the electric wires may be introduced thereinto, and thehead 53 is provided with another similar port 61,

e gasket 50, said by which may, if desired, be provided with a bushing 62.

In order to e ualize pressures within the apparatus and. in order to give access to t e lower portion of the motor element and the upper portion of the pumping element, I provide an opening 63 through the case 8 at the proper point, as indicated in Figs. 1, 5 and 6.

While I have herein shown and described only a single embodiment of the features of my. present invention, still I do not intend to limit myself to the same, except as I may do so in the claims.

I, claim:

-l. A well pumping unit comprising in combination a cylindrical casing, a motor element in the upper portion thereof, a pumping element within the casing beneath the motor element, a driving connection between the motor and pumping elements, an intake pipe reaching downwardly from the pumping element to a point below the easmg, a vertically adjustable abutment on the lower end of the intake pipe, a circular col lar of rubber or the like on said abutment and surrounding the intake pipe and adapted when expanded to constitute a gasdown to thereby expand said collar into sealing engagement with the well casing, there being a series of discharge openings in the cylindrical casing at a point below the position normally occupied by the upper end of the plunger aforesaid, whereb said plunger is forced downwards by the pres sure of liquid discharged by the pump to expand the collar into sealing engagement with the well casing and whereby the liquid may be discharged through said openings into the well casing above the collar, only when the plunger is forced down, substantially as described.

2. A well pumping unit comprising in combination a cylindrical casing, a motor element in the upper portion thereof, a pumping element within the casing beneath the motor element, a driving connection between the motor and pumping elements, an intake pipe reaching downwardly from the pumping element to a point below the easing, an abutment on the lower end ofthe intake pipe, a circular collar of rubber or the like on said abutment and surrounding the intake pipe and adapted when expanded to constitute a gasket for sealing the well caslar into sealing engagement with the well casing, there being a series of discharge openings in the cylindrical casing at a point below the position normally occupied by the upper end of the plunger aforesaid, whereby said plunger is forced downwards by the pressure of liquid discharged by the pump to expand the collar and whereby the liquid may be discharged through said openings into the well casing above the collar only when the plunger is forced down, sub stantially as described.

3. A well pumping unit comprising in combination a cylindrical casing, a motor element in the upper portion thereof, a pumping element within the casing beneath the motor element, a driving connection between the motor and pumping elements, an intake pipe reaching downwardly from the pumping element, an abutment on the lower end of the intake pipe, a circular collar of rubber or the like on said abutment and surrounding the intake pipe and adapted when expanded to constitute a gasket for sealing the well casing at a point around the intake connection, the discharge passage from the pumping element communicating solely with the interior of the cylindrical casing below the pumping element, a plunger within the lower portion of the cylindrical casing beneath said discharge passage and having a tapered lowerportion adapted to enter the collar aforesaid when the plunger is forced down to thereby expand said collar into sealing engagement with the well casing, there being a discharge opening in the cylindrical casing at a point below the position normally occupied by the upper end of the plunger aforesaid, whereby said plunger is forced downwards by the pressure of liquid discharged by the pump to expand the collar and whereby the liquid may be discharged through said opening into the well casing above the collar when the plunger is forced down, substantially as described.

4. A well pumping unit comprising in combination a cylindrical casing, a motor element in the upper portion thereof, a pumping element within the casing beneath the motor element, a driving connection between the motor and pumping elements, an

intake pipe reaching downwardly from the pumping element, an abutment on the lower end of the intake pipe, a circular collar of rubber or the like on said abutment and surrounding the intake pipe and ada ted when expanded to constitute a gasket or sealing the well casing at a point around the intake connection the discharge passage from the pumping element communicating solely with the interior of the cylindrical casing below the pumping element, a pressure operated device within the lower portion ofthe cylindrical casing beneath and in communication with said discharge connection, a tapered element thereon adapted to enter the collar aforesaid when said device is operated by pressure to thereby expand said collar into engagement with the well casing, there being a discharge opening in the cylindrical casing at a point below the position normally occupied by said device, whereby when said device is operated by the pressure of liquid discharged by the pump to expand the collar the liquid may be discharged through said opening into the well casing above the collar, substantially as described.

5. A Well pumping unit comprising in combination a cylindrical casing, a motor element in the upper portion thereof, a pumping element within the casing beneath the motor element, a driving connection between the motor and pumping elements, an intake pipe reaching downwardly from the pumping element, an abutment on the lower end of the intake pipe, a circular collar of rubber or the like on said abutment, and surrounding the intake pipe and adapted when expanded to constitute a gasket for.

sealing the well casing at a point around the intake connection, the discharge passage from the pumping element communicating solely with the interior of the cylindrical casing below the pumping element, and fluid pressure operated means in conjunction with said discharge passage for expanding the collar aforesaid when liquid is discharged from the pumping element, and operable to permit discharge of liquid from the cylindrical casing only after expansion of 'the collar as aforesaid, substantially as described.

6. A well pumping unit comprising in combination a cylindrical casing, a pumping element within the same, an intake pipe reaching downwardly from the pumping element, an abutment on the lower end of the intake pipe, a circular collar of rubber or the like on said abutment and surrounding the intake pipe and ada )ted when expanded to constitute a gasket for sealing the well casing at a point around the intake connection, the discharge passage from the pumping element communicating solely with the interior of the cylindrical casing below the pumping element, fluid pressure operated means in conjunction with said discharge passage for expanding the collar aforesaid when liquid is discharged from the pumping element and operable to permit discharge element within the same, an intake pipe reaching downwardly from the pumping element, an abutment beneath the pumping element and vertically adjustable with respect thereto, a circular collar of rubber or the like on said abutment and surrounding the intake pipe and adapted when expanded to constitute a gasket for sealing the well casing at a point around the intake connection,

the discharge passage from the pumping element communicating with the interior of the cylindrical casing below the pumping element, and fluid pressure operated means in conjunction with said discharge passage for expanding the collar aforesaid when liquid is discharged from the pumping element and operable to permit discharge of liquid from the cylindrical casing only after expansion of the collar, substantially as described.

8. A well pumping unit comprising in combination a cylindrical casing, a pumping element within the same, an intake pipe reaching downwardly from the pumping element, an abutment beneath the pumping element, a circular collar of rubber orthe like on said abutment and surrounding the intake pipe and adapted when expanded/to constitute a gasket for sealing the well casing at a point around the intake connection, the discharge passage from the pumping element communicating with the interior of the cylindrical casing below the pumping element, and fluid pressure operated means in conjunction with said discharge passage for expanding the collar aforesaid when liquid is discharged from the pumping element and operable to permit discharge of liquid from the cylindrical casing only after expansion of the collar, substantially as described.

9. A well pumping unit comprising in combination a pumping element, an intake pipe reaching downwardly therefrom, an abutment beneath the pumping element, a

circular collar of rubber or the like on said abutment and surrounding the intake pipe and adapted when expanded to constitute a gasket for sealing the well casing at a point around the intake connection, there being a discharge passage from the pumping element, and fluid pressure operated means in conjunction with said discharge passage for expanding the collar aforesaid when liquid is discharged from the pumping element and operable to permit discharge of liquid past the pumping element only after expansion of the collar, substantially as described.

10. A well pumping unit comprising in combination a pumping element, a collar of rubber or the like beneath the same, means for supporting the collar with respect to the pumping element, an intake connection for the pumping element reaching downwardly past said collar, a liquid discharge connection from the pumping element above the collar, and means in conjunction with said liquid discharge connection operable to exand the collar upon delivery of liquid rom the pumping element, substantially as described. I

11. A well pumping unit comprising in combination a pumping element, a collar of rubber or the like beneath the same, an intake connection for the pumping element reaching downwardly past the position of, the collar, a discharge connection from the pumping element above the position of the collar, and means in conjunction with said discharge connection operable to' first expand the collar for the purpose of establishing a gasket in the well casing'and thereafter permitting discharge of liquid into the well casing above said collar, substantially as described.

JOHN B. HAWLEY, JR. 

